The following student-led projects are all based near to Queen’s Campus in Stockton. However, this doesn’t mean that they’re limited to students at John Snow and Stephenson. Likewise, if you’re a Queen’s Campus student, you’re not restricted to these projects: you can also volunteer on the Durham-based projects. The X1 bus is free with your campus card, and connects the two campuses.
Primary School Art Club
If you enjoy teaching children and you like arts and crafts, this is the perfect opportunity for you. The Primary School Art Club aims to promote an enjoyable environment for children in the local primary schools to improve their artistic skills. We currently have sessions running once a week, involving various activities which include painting by numbers, origami, mask decoration and many more.
Where? Oxbridge Lane Primary School
When? Tuesday afternoon 3 – 4.30pm
Contact Adam and Fiona at kidsclub.sca@durham.ac.uk
Kids Away
Kids Away involves students taking local children aged between 8 and 16 on daytrips, in cooperation with local charity Eastern Ravens, who provide recreational activities for young carers. Student volunteers plan and deliver an exciting activity programme including outdoor pursuits, arts and crafts, drama, and games. Daytrips happen on Saturdays, usually once a month.
Ideal for those who enjoy working with children, who want experience working with children in an informal education setting, or who just want to have fun and try something different.
Where? Locations around campus and the local area
When? Saturdays, usually once a month
Contact Marie at kidsaway.sca@durham.ac.uk
One-to-one Tutoring
This project involves student volunteers using their GCSE and A-level knowledge to help local school students on a one-to-one basis, on a range of subjects. Volunteers offer an hour’s tuition a week towards students’ academic development throughout the year, on a Wednesday evening. Volunteers are matched with a local student by registering their preferred subject and level of tuition with the student project leader, who coordinates the tutees and tutors.
A project that gives you lots of transferable skills, this is ideal for those who want to gain skills in supporting and mentoring, organisational skills, and planning and delivering sessions, as well as experience of working with young people.
Where? On campus
When? Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm
Contact Kathryn and Sabita at qctutoring.sca@durham.ac.uk
Dealing with Dementia Together
Student volunteers help out at Allison House care home, which provides residential care for older adults with dementia, on a weekly basis. Volunteers help out with the afternoon programme of activities and offer support in running the activities, and socialising with the residents. It’s ideal for those who want experience in a community care setting or for those who are interested in adult psychology, care, or medicine.
Where? Allison House (2 minutes walk from campus)
When? Afternoons across the week (2-4pm)
Contact Rebecca and Tina at befriending.sca@durham.ac.uk
Dogs Trust
One of our most popular projects, students help out at Darlington Dogs Trust on Saturday mornings by helping to walk the many abandoned dogs that are housed at the trust. Transport is provided. It’s great for those who want to get outdoors and for those who miss their dog!
Where? Darlington
When? Saturday mornings
Contact Hannah and Ben at dogstrust.sca@durham.ac.uk
Holme House Prison
A group of adults with learning difficulties go into the local prison on a Friday afternoon and work with the gym staff and some prisoners playing sports and games activities. This is a great opportunity for volunteers to get involved with both groups – the prisoners and the adults with learning disabilities. Volunteers help out and get involved in the physical activities, supporting the vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of the groups involved and the security at the prison, you will get the most out of it if you can commit to attend regularly, i.e. once a week/fortnight.
Where? Holme House Prison, Stockton
When? Fridays, 1.30 – 3.15 pm
Contact Richard at holmehouse.sca@durham.ac.uk
After a successful first afternoon Tea Dance in February 2011 for local elderly residents in which the guests kept asking ‘When’s the next one?’, SCA holds termly tea dances for local residents. These take place on Queen’s Campus, and include tea, cake and entertainment, provided by student volunteers. Previous tea dances in December 2011 and February 2012 have included music from student music groups, bingo, and a Christmas quiz. Guests include local elderly residents, residents from local care homes, and local residents with sight problems.
Where? On campus
When? Once a term
Contact Rebecca at qcteadances.sca@durham.ac.uk
Riverbank Conservation
Student volunteers have helped out on two riverbank conservation events on the River Tees, in partnership with staff from the University and British Waterways. Volunteers have helped to prune bushes and trees along the riverbank and clean up litter. Events are one-offs that happen monthly, look out for adverts in the weekly email. It’s ideal for those who want to get outdoors.
Where? On the River Tees near campus
When? One-offs
Contact Rachel at queens.sca@durham.ac.uk
Abbey Hill School
Student volunteers help out at Abbey Hill School in Stockton as classroom assistants. Abbey Hill School provides for young people between the ages of 11 – 19 who have special needs in learning. The majority of students have a statement of Special Education which describes their specific learning difficulty and identifies the resources and provision needed to assist them as individuals.
Where? Abbey Hill School, Stockton
When? Times mutually suitable between school and volunteer
Contact Rachel at queens.sca@durham.ac.uk
